Boomers & Vacation Plans

Transcription

1 Boomers & Vacation Plans An AARP Bulletin Survey Report Prepared by: Matrika Chapagain, Ph.D. May 2014

2 AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at The views expressed herein are for information, debate, and discussion, and do not necessarily represent official policies of AARP. Acknowledgements: This research work was done for the AARP Bulletin. The author would like to thank Barbranda Walls for her ideas and request for this information, and Social Science Research Solutions (SSRS) for collecting the data. Additional thanks go to Patty David and Terry Keenan for their review of this report, and to Allison Kulwicki and James Smoot for QC and proofreading. For additional information, contact Matrika Chapagain at (202)

3 Table of Contents Page Executive Summary 4 Detailed Findings 5 Research Methods Overview 14 APPENDIX: Annotated Questionnaire 15 3

4 Executive Summary With an overall objective to explore American Boomers overnight vacation (a vacation away from home that lasts one night or longer) plans within the next 12 months, this survey was conducted via telephone by AARP Research, on behalf of the AARP Bulletin, in March 2014, among a national representative sample of 1,410 Boomers (ages years). Key Findings About six-in-ten (57%) American Boomers say they are planning to take an overnight vacation within the next 12 months. Among those who have planned to take an overnight vacation in the next 12 months, about seven-in-ten (68%) Boomers report they are planning to take more than one overnight vacation, while three-in-ten (29%) report they are planning to make only one overnight vacation in the next 12 months. About half (47%) of Boomers who have an overnight vacation planned in the next 12 months, say they are planning for one to two weeks away on vacation. About one-in-six (17%) say they are planning for less than a week, while one-third (34%) say they are planning for more than two weeks away on vacation. Half (49%) of Boomers who have an overnight vacation planned in the next 12 months say they are planning to spend $1,000 to less than $5,000 for their overnight vacations. However, one-third (34%) say they are planning to spend less than $1,000 while eight-in-ten (13%) say they are planning to spend $5,000 or more for their overnight vacations. The high majority (56%) of Boomers who have an overnight vacation planned in the next 12 months say their spouse or partner will be going with them. One-in-seven (15%) say their child/children will be going with them, and about three-in-ten (28%) say their other family/friends (28%) will be going with them on their vacation. Only one-in-six (17%) Boomers say they are planning on going self/alone for their vacation. While asking about the destinations of their vacations within the next 12 months, two-thirds (64%) of Boomers say they will be going to another state within the U.S. and one-in-five () report they will be vacationing within their own state. However, one-infive (19%) Boomers report going out of the country for their vacation in the next 12 months. Among those Boomers who are planning for an out of country vacation in the next 12 months, the highest proportion are planning on going to Europe (38%), followed by Latin or South America (21%), Caribbean (13%), and Canada (10%). A few of them also report going to Asia (7%), Africa (5%), Mexico (5%), and Australia (3%). While asking about the motive for their overnight vacation, most of Boomers say the main reason for their vacation within the next 12 months is either To see, connect, or spend time with family and/or friends (45%), or For a pure fun, or relaxation (38%). 4

5 DETAILED FINDINGS 5

6 Vacation Plan within the Next 12 Months DETAILED FINDINGS About six-in-ten (57%) Boomers say they are planning to take a vacation away from home that will last one night or longer within the next 12 months. Annual household (HH) income and education show some variations in Boomers overnight vacation plans within the next 12 months. Boomers annual HH income and level of education they have completed are positively associated with their likelihood of having an overnight vacation plan. - Eight-in-ten (81%) of Boomers with a HH income of $75K+ and two-thirds (66%) of Boomers with a HH income of $50K-$74.9K, say they are planning to take an overnight vacation in the next 12 months, compared to one-third (33%) of Boomers with a HH income of under $25K and less than half (46%) of those with a HH income of $25K-$49.9K. - Boomers who are college graduates or have a higher level of education (74%) are the most likely group to have an overnight vacation plan, followed by Boomers with some college level of education (58%), and those who are high school graduates or have lower levels of education (43%). Total Boomers Gender Male Female Age Under or older HH income Under $25K $25K-$49.9K $50K-$74.9K $75K+ Education HS Graduate or less Some college College graduate+ 57% 57% 56% 58% 54% 33% 46% 66% 81% 43% 58% 74% 41% 40% 41% 40% 42% 65% 52% 31% 17% 53% 38% 25% 0% 10% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Have an overnight vacation plan Don't have an overnight vacation plan Q1: In the next 12 months, are you planning to take a vacation away from home that will last one night or longer? Source: AARP Bulletin Poll, Boomers and Vacation Plan, March Base (N) = 1,410 (Total Boomers) Note: Don t know/refused cases are not shown in the figure. 6

7 Number of Overnight Vacations DETAILED FINDINGS Among those Boomers who plan to take an overnight vacation in the next 12 months, three-inten (29%) say they are planning to take only one overnight vacation. However, about seven-in-ten (68%) Boomers report planning for more than one vacation, including 31% planning for two vacations, 16% planning for three vacations, and 21% planning for four or more vacations in the next 12 months. Annual household (HH) income and education show significant variations on the number of overnight vacations that Boomers are planning to take in the next 12 months. - The higher the annual HH income, the more the number of vacations that Boomers plan to take, and vice versa. About eight-in-ten (78%) Boomers with a HH income of $75K+ are planning to take at least two vacations in the next 12 months, compared to seven-in-ten (69%) Boomers with a HH income of $50K-$74.9K, six-in-ten (62%) Boomers with a HH income of $25K-$49.9K, and less than half (45%) of those with a HH income of under $25K. - Boomers who are college graduates or have higher levels of education (76%) are the most likely group to plan more than one vacation, followed by Boomers with some college education (69%), and those who are high school graduates or lower levels of education (58%). Total Boomers 29% 31% 16% 21% Gender Male 28% 28% 17% 23% Female 29% 33% 15% Age Under 60 28% 31% 17% 21% 60 or older 30% 33% 13% 22% HH income Under $25K 45% 24% 11% 10% $25K-$49.9K 37% 31% 15% 16% $50K-$74.9K 27% 34% 15% $75K+ 21% 33% 18% 27% Education HS Graduate or less 38% 29% 11% 18% Some college 30% 32% 17% College graduate+ 32% 18% 26% 0% 10% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% One Two Three Four or more Q2: How many overnight vacations are you planning to take within the next 12 months? Source: AARP Bulletin Poll, Boomers and Vacation Plan, March Base (N) = 819 (Those Boomers who plan to take an overnight vacation in the next 12 months) Note: Don t know/refused cases are not shown in the figure. 7

8 Length/Duration of Vacation DETAILED FINDINGS Among those Boomers who have planned to take an overnight vacation in the next 12 months, about one-in-six (17%) are planning less than a week away on vacation, a quarter (26%) are planning one week, but less than two weeks, one-in-five (21%) are planning for two weeks, and one-third (34%) are planning more than two weeks away on vacation. Boomers with higher HH income and those with higher levels of education are more likely to have longer durations of overnight vacations, compared to their counterparts with lower HH income, and those with lower educational levels, respectively. - More than four-in-ten (43%) Boomers with a HH income of $75K+ are planning more than two weeks away on vacation in the next 12 months, compared to three-in-ten (31%) Boomers with a HH income of $50K-$74.9K, and a quarter (24%) of Boomers with a HH income of less than $50K. - Boomers who are college graduates or higher (40%) and those with some college (36%) are more likely than Boomers who are high school graduates or have lower levels of education (26%) to plan overnight vacations for more than two weeks. Total Boomers 17% 26% 21% 34% Gender Male 16% 26% 23% 33% Female 18% 25% 19% 35% Age Under 60 17% 26% 22% 33% 60 or older 16% 23% 19% 39% HH income Under $25K 26% 23% 23% 24% $25K-$49.9K 23% 36% 16% 24% $50K-$74.9K 16% 31% 18% 31% $75K+ 11% 23% 22% 43% Education HS Graduate or less 22% 28% 22% 26% Some college 21% 24% 16% 36% College graduate+ 11% 25% 22% 40% 0% 10% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Less than 1 week 1 week but less than 2 weeks 2 weeks More than 2 weeks Q3: Altogether how many weeks will you be away on vacation for the next 12 months? Source: AARP Bulletin Poll, Boomers and Vacation Plan, March Base (N) = 819 (Those Boomers who plan to take an overnight vacation in the next 12 months) Note: Don t know/refused cases are not shown in the figure. 8

9 Estimated Cost for Vacations DETAILED FINDINGS Among those Boomers who plan to take an overnight vacation in the next 12 months, one-third (34%) say they are planning to spend less than $1,000, and about a quarter (23%) are planning to spend $1,000 to less than $2,000 for their overnight vacation. One quarter (26%) of Boomers estimate $2,000 to less than $5,000, while eightin-ten (13%) estimate more than $5,000 expenses for their overnight vacation in the next 12 months. As might be expected, Boomers with a higher HH income, and those with higher levels of education plan to spend more for their overnight vacation. - The majority (55%) of Boomers with a HH income of $75K+ are planning to spend at least $2K for their overnight vacation, compared to one-third (33%) of Boomers with a HH income of $50K-$74.9K, and about one-in-five (19-22%) Boomers with a HH income of less than $50K. - Half (51%) of Boomers who are college graduates or have higher levels of education are planning to spend at least $2K, compared to three-in-ten (30%) Boomers with some college or lower levels of education. Total Boomers Gender Male Female Age Under or older HH income Under $25K $25K-$49.9K $50K-$74.9K $75K+ Education HS Graduate or less Some college College graduate+ 19% 29% 25% 34% 38% 34% 33% 33% 41% 37% 50% 65% 23% 25% 23% 24% 22% 21% 31% 26% 35% 24% 27% 31% 26% 27% 25% 26% 28% 11% 26% 22% 22% 14% 15% 17% 13% 11% 13% 8% 13% 5% 7% 8% 5% 0% 10% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Less than $1K $1K to less than $2K $2K to less than $5K $5K or more Q4: Could you please tell me roughly how much money you are planning to spend for your overnight vacation(s) within the next 12 months? Source: AARP Bulletin Poll, Boomers and Vacation Plan, March Base (N) = 819 (Those Boomers who plan to take an overnight vacation in the next 12 months) Note: Don t know/refused cases are not shown in the figure. 9

10 Who Are Going with Boomers on Their Vacations? DETAILED FINDINGS The high majority of Boomers who plan to take an overnight vacation in the next 12 months say their spouse or partner will be going with them (56%). However, one-in-seven (15%) say their child/children will be going with them, and about three-in-ten (28%) say their other family/friends (28%) will be going with them on their vacation. But, about one-in-six (17%) Boomers say they are planning to go on vacation alone. Boomers gender, age, HH income, and education show some variations on who will be going with Boomers on their vacation. - Female Boomers are more likely than their male counterparts (19% vs. 11%), and younger Boomers (age 49-59) are more likely than their older counterparts (age 60+) (17% vs. 9%), to say their child/children will be going with them on their vacation. - Boomers with a HH income of less than $50K are more likely than those with a HH income of $50K or more to say they will be going alone on their vacations (26-33% vs %). Boomers in the most affluent group (HH income $75K+) are more likely than Boomers in other HH income categories to go with their spouse or partner on their vacations (68% vs %). - More than six-in-ten (63%) Boomers who are college graduates or have higher levels of education say their spouse/partners will be going with them on their vacation, compared to half of Boomers with some college (51%), who are high school graduates or have lower levels of education (52%). Q5: Who will be going with you on your vacation(s) within the next 12 months? Total Boomers Gender Male Female Age Under or older HH income Under $25K $25K-$49.9K $50K-$74.9K $75K+ Education HS Graduate or less Some college College graduate+ 17% 16% 17% 16% 17% 15% 10% 19% 16% 14% 33% 26% 56% 53% 55% 50% 59% 59% 43% 68% 52% 51% 34% 63% 10% 15% 11% 19% 17% 9% 17% 18% 13% 16% 14% 26% 22% 36% 28% 27% 25% 26% 30% 30% 29% 30% 30% 0% 10% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%110%1130% Self (No other person) Child/children Spouse/partner) Other family/friends Source: AARP Bulletin Poll, Boomers and Vacation Plan, March Base (N) = 819 (Those Boomers who plan to take an overnight vacation in the next 12 months) Note: Cumulative percentage may exceed 100% due to multiple responses. Don t know/refused cases are not shown in the figure. 10

11 Where Boomers will be Going on Vacation DETAILED FINDINGS While asking where they will be going for vacation within the next 12 months, two-thirds (64%) of Boomers say they will be going to another state within the U.S., while one-in-five () say they will be vacationing within their own state. However, one-in-five (19%) Boomers plan on going out of the country for their vacation in the next 12 months. Total Boomers Gender Male Female Age 64% 65% 63% 19% 18% Boomers HH income and education show some variations on their vacation destinations. - As might be expected, Boomers in the most affluent group (HH income $75K+) are more likely than their lower income counterparts (HH income less than $75K) to say they will be going out of the country for vacation (27% vs %). Boomers with a HH income of less than $50K (26-28%) are more likely than those with a HH income of $75K+ (15%) to say they will be vacationing within their own state. - About three-in-ten (28%) Boomers who are college graduates or have higher levels of education say they will be going out of the country for their vacation, compared to less than one-in-seven (10-15%) Boomers with some college education, and those who are high school graduates or have lower levels of education. Q6: Where will you be going for vacation within the next 12 months? Under or older HH income Under $25K $25K-$49.9K $50K-$74.9K $75K+ Education HS Graduate or less Some college College graduate+ 19% 22% 15% 18% 28% 26% 23% Within my state Out of the country 63% 65% 60% 67% 58% 68% 66% 67% 67% 12% 17% 27% 10% 15% 28% 16% 11% 0% 10% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 110% Another state within the U.S. Source: AARP Bulletin Poll, Boomers and Vacation Plan, March Base (N) = 819 (Those Boomers who plan to take an overnight vacation in the next 12 months) Note: Cumulative percentage may exceed 100% due to multiple responses. Don t know/refused cases are not shown in the figure. 11

12 Places Planned to Visit While Vacationing Out of the Country DETAILED FINDINGS Among those Boomers who plan on going out of the country for their vacation in the next 12 months, the highest proportion say they will be going to Europe (38%), followed by Latin/South America (21%), Caribbean (13%), and Canada (10%). A few of them also say they will be going to Asia (7%), Africa (5%), Mexico (5%), and Australia (3%). Younger Boomers (ages 49-59) are more likely than their older counterparts (age 60+) to report Europe (42% vs. 22%), but they are less likely than older Boomers to report Latin/South America (17% vs. 35%) as their vacation destination. Boomers with a HH income of $75K+ are more likely than those with a HH income of less than $50K to say they will be going to Europe (45% vs. 3-11%). Places/Areas Plan To Visit Total Boomers Gender Age Annual Household Income Education Male Female Under or older Under $25K $25- $49.9K $50- $74.9K $75K+ HS Grad or less Some College % % % % % % % % % % % % Europe Latin/South America Asia Africa Australia Canada Caribbean Mexico Some other area/s College Grad+ Source: AARP Bulletin Poll, Boomers and Vacation Plan, March Base (N) = 160 (Those Boomers who plan to take an overnight vacation out of the country in the next 12 months) Note: Cumulative percentage may exceed 100% due to multiple responses. Don t know/refused cases are not shown in the figure. Q7: When travelling out of the country for vacation in the next 12 months, to which area are you going...? 12

13 Main Reason/Motive for Overnight Vacation DETAILED FINDINGS While asking the main reason or motive for their overnight vacation within the next 12 months, most of them say either To see, connect, or spend time with family/friends (45%) or For pure fun, or relaxation (38%). A small proportion also say To visit a geographic or archeological landmark I have always wanted to see (9%), and To see a city or country I have always wanted to see (6%). Boomers gender, age, HH income, and education show some variations on the motive for their overnight vacation. - Female Boomers are more likely than their male counterparts (50% vs. 40%), older Boomers are more likely than younger Boomers (51% vs. 42%), Boomers with a HH income of less than $25K are more likely than Boomers with a HH income of $25K or more (66% vs %), and Boomers with some college or have lower levels of education are more likely than those who are college graduates or have higher levels of education (49% vs. 38%) to report To see, connect, or spend time with family and/or friends being their motive for their overnight vacation. - Male Boomers are more likely than female Boomers (42% vs. 34%), younger Boomers are more likely than older Boomers (41% vs. 31%), and Boomers with a HH income of $25K+ are more likely than Boomers with a HH income of less than $25K (40-43% vs. 18%) to report For pure fun, or relaxation being their motive for their overnight vacation. What Best Describes Your Reason/Motive for the Overnight Vacation To see, connect, or spend time with family and/or friends Total Boomers Q8: What best describes your reason or motive for the overnight vacation(s) you plan to take in the next 12 months...? Gender Age Annual Household Income Education Male Female Under or older Under $25K $25- $49.9K $50- $74.9K $75K+ HS Grad or less Some College % % % % % % % % % % % % For pure fun, or relaxation To see a city/country I have always wanted to see To visit a geographic or archeological landmark I have always wanted to see None of these Source: AARP Bulletin Poll, Boomers and Vacation Plan, March Base (N) = 819 (Those Boomers who plan to take an overnight vacation in the next 12 months) Note: Don t know/refused cases are not shown in the figure. College Grad+ 13

14 Research Methods Overview Research Objectives: To assess American Boomers overnight vacation plan within the next 12 months, including number of vacations, duration planned for overnight vacations, estimated cost-estimates for vacation, types of persons giving accompany for the vacation, places planned to visit, and main reason/motive for the overnight vacation. Data Collection Mode: Random-digit dial telephone omnibus survey. Sample: National representative sample of 1,410 respondents ages 49 to 67 (Boomers). Of those, a total of 907 respondents are under age 60 and a total of 461 are age 60+, and 42 respondents refused to report their actual age. Survey Fielding: March 5 March 30, Margin of Error: For total respondents: +/- 2.6% at the 95% level of confidence. 14

15 APPENDIX: ANNOTATED QUESTIONNAIRE 15

16 Annotated Questionnaire Q1: In the next 12 months, are you planning to take a vacation away from home that will last one night or longer? Yes No Don t know Refused % % % % Total Boomers (N = 1,410) * Age <60 (N = 907) Age 60+ (N = 461) * Note: Forty-two respondents did not provide their actual age. * indicates less than 1%. Q2: How many overnight vacations are you planning to take within the next 12 months? Four or more Don t know exactly Don t know One Two Three but more than one Refused % % % % % % % Total (N = 819) * Age <60 (N = 529) * Age 60+ (N = 266) Note: This question was asked to those Boomers who plan to take a vacation away from home that will last one night or longer within the next 12 months. * indicates less than 1%. Twenty-four respondents did not provide their actual age. Q3: Altogether how many weeks will you be away on vacation for the next 12 months? Less than one week One week but less than two weeks Two weeks More than two weeks Don t know Refused % % % % % % Total (N = 819) Age <60 (N = 529) Age 60+ (N = 266) * Note: This question was asked to those Boomers who plan to take a vacation away from home that will last one night or longer within the next 12 months. * indicates less than 1%. Twenty-four respondents did not provide their actual age. 16

17 Annotated Questionnaire Q4: Could you please tell me roughly how much money you are planning to spend for your overnight vacation(s) within the next 12 months? Less than $1K $1K to less than $2K $2K to less than $3K $3K to less than $4K $4K to less than $5K $5K or more Don t know Refused % % % % % % % % Total (N = 819) Age <60 (N = 529) Age 60+ (N = 266) Note: This question was asked to those Boomers who plan to take a vacation away from home that will last one night or longer within the next 12 months. * indicates less than 1%. Twenty-four respondents did not provide their actual age. Q5: Who will be going with you on your vacation(s) within the next 12 months? Self (no other Your Your Other Don t know person) spouse/partner child/children family/friends Refused % % % % % % Total (N = 819) * 1 Age <60 (N = 529) * 1 Age 60+ (N = 266) * Note: This question was asked to those Boomers who plan to take a vacation away from home that will last one night or longer within the next 12 months. * indicates less than 1%. Twenty-four respondents did not provide their actual age. Q6: Where will you be going for vacation within the next 12 months? Within my state Another state within the Out of the country Don t know US Refused % % % % % Total (N = 819) Age <60 (N = 529) Age 60+ (N = 266) Note: This question was asked to those Boomers who plan to take a vacation away from home that will last one night or longer within the next 12 months. * indicates less than 1%. Twenty-four respondents did not provide their actual age. 17

18 Annotated Questionnaire Q7: When travelling out of the country for vacation in the next 12 months, to which area are you going? Total (N = 160) Age <60 (N = 107) Age 60+ (N = 44) % % % Any (NET) Europe Latin/South America Asia Africa Australia Antarctica Canada Caribbean Mexico Middle East Some other area Don t know Refused Note: This question was asked to those Boomers who plan to take a vacation out of the country that will last one night or longer within the next 12 months. Nine respondents did not provide their actual age. Q8: What best describes your reason or motive for the overnight vacation(s) you plan to take in the next 12 months.? To see, connect, or spend time with my family/friends For pure fun/ relaxation To see a city/ country I ve always wanted to see To visit a geographic/ archeological landmark I ve always wanted to see % % % % % % % Total (N = 819) * * Age <60 (N = 529) * * Age 60+ (N = 266) * None of these Note: This question was asked to those Boomers who plan to take a vacation away from home that will last one night or longer within the next 12 months. * indicates less than 1%. Twenty-four respondents did not provide their actual age. Don t know Refused 18

19 For more information contact: Matrika Chapagain, Ph.D. Senior Research Adviser AARP Research